As part of activity B2 of its Work Plan 2016-2019, AG4 commissioned a study that provides an overview of existing policy-induced pricing components affecting the competitiveness between road and rail freight transport in and through the Alps with a focus on vehicle operating costs. The outcomes of the investigation serve as a technical basis for the justification of the adjustment of tolls on mountain corridors with regard to the revision and implementation of the Eurovignette Directive.
The study shows that achieving ‘fair and efficient pricing’ is generally perceived to be a key step in rebalancing the use of different transport modes. However, the way this is put into practice is far from straightforward. EUSALP AG4 wants to take an integrated perspective and aims at the development of a comprehensive instrument mix which supports modal shift, considering pricing components that support a better level playing field between road and rail freight transport and a streamlining of policy approaches (integrated pricing). Overall, an integrated pricing approach should lead to more transparent pricing for road and rail transport and that should, for both road and rail, set incentives to pick up innovative and low-emission technologies.
The study was commissioned by the AG4 Leader European Region Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino / Land Tyrol, Department of traffic planning.
The main editors of the study are Giuseppe Sansotta, Claudia de Stasio and Enrico Pastori of TRT Trasporti e Territorio (Milano).
